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This Sunday, the Central African Republic will hold a crucial quadruple election, encompassing the presidency, parliament, and municipal positions.

A Competitive Race for the Presidency

Seven candidates are vying for the top office, including former prime ministers Anicet Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra. The two were given approval to stand by the constitutional court after being initially barred. Dologuélé was the runner-up in the last two elections, while Dondra briefly served under the current president.

Challengers' Strategy and Voter Frustrations

The challengers hopes to tap into widespread discontent in a country where violence remains a constant threat. More than half a million people are internally displaced, with a comparable figure living as exiles in neighbouring countries.

"This is an chance to acknowledge the significant progress of the country," noted a UN regional official, though he added that obstacles persist.

The Incumbent's Path

Despite the challenges, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a one-time academic, is largely predicted to extend his run. He first entered politics in 2008 when named prime minister, holding the post until a rebel coalition overthrew the government in 2013, triggering a civil war.

After a turbulent transition period, his perceived impartiality from the main militias fueled his runoff win in 2016.

Election Risks and Voting Challenges

Concerns persist that logistical problems and insecurity could mar the electoral process, especially in the countryside. The UN stabilization force, Minusca, is offering security and organizational aid that the country's weak systems is unable to provide.

Further issues involve the voter list being published only online, a significant barrier in a nation with scarce online access. These issues have prompted an opposition boycott and could, as noted by analysts, "disenfranchise large segments of the electorate."

Stakes of a Third Term

Many residents worry that another term for Touadéra—made possible by a 2023 constitutional referendum that abolished term limits and lengthened mandates—would entail expanded sway for outside interests.

The president has put faith in the Russian mercenary group Wagner for personal security, and even after its founder's death, has resisted calls to fold its fighters into a new structure. In contrast, Rwanda has taken a different approach, focusing on commercial interests within CAR.

Allegations of Asset Sales

Allegations have claimed the government evicted its own soldiers from a internationally financed training centre to accommodate a foreign-run agricultural project. A pro-opposition editorial accused the leadership of being "intent on sell off the nation piece by piece."

Amid a recent peace accord with armed factions offering a glimmer of calm, the election moves forward under a cloud of doubt and external rivalry.